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Renting in Pasadena, Texas
Screw around all you want in Pasadena, California. Feel free to act like a fool in Pasadena, Maryland. In the mood to raise a little hell? There’s a little town in Missouri called Pasadena Hills with your name all over it. But if you’re looking for a place to rest your bones in Pasadena, Texas, you better walk the line. Why? Because nobody messes with Texas, and that’s no truer when it comes to its so-called “birthplace”. Got it? Good. Now that we’ve established that simple little principle, it’s time to saddle up and lasso the perfect apartment deep in the heart of Texas…
A Peek at ‘Pasa
Located in Harris County at the southern tip of the Houston metropolitan area, Pasadena was the site of the conclusive battle of the Texas Revolution in 1836, earning the city the moniker “The Birthplace of Texas.” Today, Pasadena is a perfect stomping ground for budget-conscious Lone Star leasers.
Plenty of Pasadena Perks
Just a few of the benefits of living in Texas’s birthplace include:
“Houston, we have a problem …” Actually, no, we don’t (Had you going there for a second though, right?). For Pasadena residents itching for a taste of the big city, downtown Houston is less than a half-hour commute. Traffic getting into “the Big Heart,” meanwhile, is rarely an issue, so it’s very plausible for Texans to work in Houston and live in Pasadena.
Pasa-get-down-Dena
In the 1980s, radio DJ Moby in the Morning dubbed the city “Pasa-get-down-Dena." It was an intentionally ironic epithet for a city whose night life generally consists of all-you-can-eat steak buffets and beer-fueled line dancing contests. Still, Pasadena has a whole slew of honky-tonk dives, sports bars, and a couple nightclubs to choose from.
For residents who would rather have their fun under the sun than under the dim lights of the steak bar, the Armand Bayou Nature Center, a 2500-acre preserve packed with rare species of all sorts of creatures, is a must-experience. There is no shortage of parks, recreation centers, and museums.
Your Apartment Arsenal
One pretty cool aspect of Pasadena is that apartments are generally easy to find, far from overpriced, and more modern than you’ll come across in a lot of other Texas suburbs. Follow these quick pointers and you’ll be livin’ it up Lone Star-style in a flash:
Bring the basics… Be sure to have all those boring old documents landlords want to see, including identification, banking records, paycheck stubs, and proof of rental history. Also, don’t forget to bring common sense along: Very few Pasadena landlords pick up your utilities tab, so remember to budget for things like gas/electric, phone, and cable (sewer/trash and water are typically included in the price of rent).
Read your lease carefully… Or have your more astute friend do it for you. Yes, we know apartment leases make for tedious reading material, but they also include lots of important information about pet policies, roommates, security deposits, and requesting apartment repairs.
Word to the wise… Renter’s insurance (no, this isn’t a sales pitch) is as cheap as $5-$10 a month in Pasadena and protects your valuables in case of fire, theft, or flood.
Explore your options… Pasadena leasers (who account for more than 40 percent of residents) pay, on average, $800 bucks a month for rent, but Texas-sized truckloads of quality pads can be found in the $500-$600 range. Waiting lists are practically nonexistent, and many complexes offer killer move-in specials, so don’t rush into a unit unless you’re sure it’s right for you.
The Lay of the Land
Now that you’ve decided to join the ranks of Lone Star leasers, it’s time to find you the best area of town to saddle up. Generally speaking, the city’s southern district offers the most modern rental properties, while the more economical digs are clustered up north. But quality lodgings can be found throughout the city, so don’t limit your search to a single neighborhood only.
Different ‘hoods in Pasadena offer different perks to different types of renters. Want to live in a spacious, well-established neighborhood? Check out the abundance of single-family detached homes for rent in Red Bluff Terrace, Golden Acres Annex, or Arlington Heights.
Looking for an inexpensive crash pad? Try Southway Landing.
Are you the pricier pad with more amenities? Spencer Gardens, with its contemporary homes and high rises, might be just the place for you.
In each of these neighborhoods (and many others) prices range from $400 or less for 1 BR apartments to $1100 or more for luxury condos and townhouses.
Happy hunting in Pasadena!
